Scarlett Johansson and ‘Her’ Voice Ineligible for Golden Globes

Scarlett Johansson will not compete in the Golden Globes race for “Her,” sources confirm to Variety, as she is ineligible in the HFPA’s best supporting actress category.

Johansson remains eligible in the best supporting actress category for SAG Awards and Oscars and Warner Bros.-Spike Jonze’s film is still eligible in all other Globes categories.

Johansson plays an electronic voice in the film named “Samantha” who becomes the love interest of Joaquin Phoenix, although she’s never seen. According to sources, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. decided that she would not be considered for this film, though she is still eligible for her live-action work in “Don Jon.”

Golden Globe balloting begins Wednesday, and the nominations will be announced Dec. 12.

As you can see, nothing specifies that an actress can’t be nominated for a supporting role in an animated film. Lead performances must be given in a drama, musical or comedy but not supporting work. The Globes have given out awards for Best Animated Film since 2007. Animated film is a category the Foreign Press recognizes along with drama, musical and comedy. If its rules don’t specify which of its categories a supporting performance must be given in, it follows the performance can be given in any of the recognized categories, right? So, if the rules allow for recognition of voicework in an animated film, why not voicework in a drama?

So the HFPA is disqualifying Johansson’s extremely award-worthy performance on the basis of a rule it really doesn’t even have, a mistake which should be corrected.

It’s not about whether she’ll get a nomination or not, it’s about the fact that they won’t even consider it or any other such performances. Which is a shame because there has been/will be some great motion capture or voice performances on screen that should be considered.

It was a shame she can’t even be considered. Avatar broke new ground with its conversation about whether it was animated or live action (it was a complicated mix of live action, motion capture, and traditional cg animation)

She should at least be considered, she’s the title character for crying out loud

In our enduring appreciation for Scarlett have we, perhaps, wandered into the realm of “over-enthusiasm”? This “hidden performance” MAY be worthy of “a certain regard” as the French might say, but why deprive another deserving actress of consideration by going “overboard” for Miss J?